Proof of Merlin??
In the heart of the peaceful Tweeddale region of southern Scotland lies the small village of Drumelzier, a place deeply connected to the legend of Merlin, the legendary wizard of Arthurian fame. Local tradition claims that Merlin was imprisoned in a riverbank tree here by the enchantress Morgan le Fay. While these stories have captivated imaginations for centuries, recent archaeological discoveries from the Drumelzier’s Hidden Heritage project suggest that the legend may have roots in real historical events tied to the landscape itself. From ancient burial mounds to the remnants of medieval castles, the area’s rich history provides the perfect backdrop for Merlin’s mythic tale.
Drumelzier Castle in 1790.
One of the most significant archaeological finds in the area was at Tinnis Fort, a prominent hillfort believed to have been occupied during the 6th and 7th centuries AD—the time when Merlin’s legend is thought to have originated. Researchers uncovered signs of the fort’s fiery destruction during the Late Iron Age, pointing to violent power struggles in the region. With its commanding view of the Tweed Valley, the fort would have been a key stronghold for local leaders. This connection between the fort’s historical importance and the period when Merlin’s story emerged suggests that the legend could have been shaped by the real-life conflicts of the time.
Reconstruction of Tinnis Castle during the fifteenth century (illustration by Chris Mitchell/GUARD Archaeology Ltd
Not far from Tinnis Fort, at Thirlestane Barrows, archaeologists made another fascinating discovery: a square burial mound dating from the 3rd to 6th centuries AD, nestled among much older Bronze Age barrows. This suggests that the site remained significant for thousands of years, with the later generations possibly aware of the ancient stories tied to the land. It’s believed that local folklore, passed down through the centuries, may have preserved memories of these ancient people and places, eventually transforming into the legend of Merlin that spread far and wide.
Thirlestane Square Barrow excavation © GUARD Archaeology Ltd
Merlin’s legend is also closely linked to the area through his conversion to Christianity. According to local stories, Merlin—known in the early Welsh tradition as Myrddin Wyllt—was baptized by Saint Kentigern (also known as Mungo) at an altar stone in nearby Stobo Kirk. After his conversion, Merlin’s life tragically ended in a series of events he had prophesied himself. He was said to have fallen from a cliff, impaled himself on a fishing rod, and drowned with his head beneath the water. His captor, King Meldred, reportedly buried him by the Powsail Burn, near where it meets the River Tweed.
A part of 'altarstone', now in Stobo Kirk , on which Merlin was converted to Christianity
One of the most famous prophecies associated with Merlin’s grave is that when the River Tweed and the Powsail Burn met at his burial site, Scotland and England would unite under one monarch. Astonishingly, this prophecy seemed to come true on the day James VI of Scotland was crowned James I of England. The River Tweed burst its banks, meeting the Powsail Burn at Merlin's grave—an event that had never occurred before and hasn’t happened since. This merging of waters, viewed as a powerful symbol, tied Merlin’s legend to a pivotal moment in British history, blending myth and reality in a way that continues to capture the imagination today.
““When Tweed and Powsail meet at Merlin’s grave,
Scotland and England shall one monarch have.”
